Photoflash holder



March 16, 1954 M. SCHWARTZ ET AL I 2,672,039

PHOTOFLASH HOLDER Filed Dec. 1, 195] 9 Sheets-Sheet l .F'TE J immx iim sf INVENTORS Mam/s .ix/mirz Manly 63525 5440 8 9 Sheets-Shawv 5 PHOTOFLASH HOLDER a m M0 W knum m a ma 5 M a a 6M x A .iiuiiniin m if y J B HW n. L l E; I- I m Z w March 16, 1954 M. SCHWARTZ ET AL Filed Dec. 1, 1951 Match 16, 1954 M. SCHWARTZ ET AL PHOTOFLASH HOLDER 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 1, 1951 INVENTORS Mir/.5 Samar/'72 BY Mum (bszfwzw March 1954 M. SCHWARTZ ET AL 72, 3

PHOTOFLASH HOLDER Filed Dec. 1, 1951 9 Shegts-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS [bar/5 fire m BY Ir/1mm 595701-210 M ma M. SCHWARTZ ETAL March 16, 1954 PHOTOFLASH HOLDER -9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 1, 1951 INVENTORS Z 40H F. M? 0 501m 0 mm m w v March 16, 1954 SCHWARTZ ET AL PHOTOFLASH HOLDER 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Dec. 1', 1951 mum,

March 16, 1954 M. SCHWARTZ ET AL PHOTOFLASH HOLDER 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 1 1951 uwuvroxs Alum/s 0%4072 BY lr/zu/w firmawo 5mm March 16, 1954' M HW ET AL 2,672,039

PHOTOFLASH HOLDER Filed Dec. 1 1951 INVENTORS films 5071mm BY M104! xwiw AL-1A3.- How Patented Mar. 16, 1954 PHOTOFLASH HOLDER Morris Schwartz and William Castedello, Plainville, Conn., assignors to The Kalart Company Inc., Plainville, Conn.

Application December 1, 1951, Serial No. 259,364

14 Claims.

This invention relates to photofiash units comprising a reflector, mounting means for holding a flash bulb in front of the reflector and contact means for applying current to the primer of the bulb when it is desired to fire the latter. The source of current may be incorporated in the said unit or be disposed separately therefrom, for instance in the casing of a camera. Flash units of this type are sometimes referred to as flash guns.

Conventional flash bulbs, as are used for fiash units of the general type, above referred to, generally have a base and terminal connections similar to a standard incandescent bulb. A base and terminal connections of this type are highly uneconomical because, in contrast to incandescent bulbs, a flash bulb is used only for a fraction of a second and then discarded so that there is no real need for a strong and expensive base and long lasting elaborate terminal connections. Also, the base of a conventional flash bulb occupies sometimes almost half of the total length of the bulb. While this is of little importance with incandescent bulbs it is different with flash bulbs. A photographer who often has or wants to carry .a substantial number of flash bulbs is bound to be space conscious and it is essential for him that the total size of a flash bulb is as small as possible.

The co-pending application Ser. No. 264,048, filed December 29, 1951, by the applicants herein discloses a new type of greatly simplified flash bulbs. The said new flash bulbs are in form of pellets or globules which have on the outside wall two terminal elements connected with the primer within the pellet or globule. In other words, the elaborate base of conventional flash bulbs is eliminated with bulbs according to the above mentioned application. -The pellets-may either be separate or arranged instrings similar to a sausage string so that the pellets can be easily separated as they are consecutively used- One object of the present invention is to provide a flash unit of the general type, above referred to, which is specifically designed for use of flash pellets, capsules or globules as disclosed in the aforementioned application. v

More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a flash unit which is adapted to be loaded with a plurality of the aforementioned pellets or globules and successively to feed the same into the firing position in front of the reflector.

Another object of the invention is to provide either ejecting means which automatically eject a fired flash bulb in form of a pellet or globule upon moving a fresh one into the firing position or manually operable ejecting means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flash unit including a magazine adapted to receive a plurality of the novel simplified flash bulbs, and including step-by-step operable feeder means, each one-step operation of the said feeder means causing movement of a fresh bulb into the firing position and into engagement with the contact means of the unit, and also providing for an automatic ejection of a fired bulb by the pressure of the next bulb.

As will appear from the previous description, the use of a flash unit according to the present invention and of flash bulbs according to the aforesaid co-pending application will simplify flash work, permit the taking of several flash pictures in rapid succession, greatly reduce the costs of taking flash pictures, and make it more convenient for the photographer to carry with him a substantial number of flash bulbs by reason of the reduced size of the individual bulbs and the storage capacity of the novel flash unit.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims forming part of the application.

In the accompanying drawings several now preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a flash unit according to the invention. 7

Fig. 2 is a front view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, of a modification of a flash unit according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a front view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side view, partly in section of another modification of a flash unit according to the invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of Fig. 5.

Fig. "7 is a front view, partly in section, of the flash unit according to Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a front view of still another modification of a flash unit according to the invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional side view of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional side view of still another modification of a flash unit according to the invention.

Fig. 11 is a front view, partly in section, of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective front view of Fig. 10.

"longitudinal Fig. 13 is a plan view of Fig. 10, the reflector being removed.

Fig. 14 is a side view, partly in section of still another modification of a flash unit according to the invention.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 14, showing the bulb holding and contact means of the unit in a position .difllerent from Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a front view of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the holding and contact means of the unit according to Figs. 14 and 15, and

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary detail yiew of the bulb holding means of the unit according to Figs. 14 and 15.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 in detail, the flash unit or flash gun according to these is designed for use of flash bulbs forming a string, that is, each bulb consists of a closed pellet or globule l including the combustible foil or wire and the primer and provided on the outside with two contact elements 2 and '3 connected to the primer. The individual bulbs are joined by a narrow neck portion 4 which can be easily broken for the purpose of separating the bulbs after the same are fired.

The flash unit comprises a tube which serves as a magazine for a plurality of bulbs I. The magazine is shown as receiving five bulbs with one bulb :in the firing position so that the total load capacity of the unit is sixbulbs but it will be obvious that the unit can also be designed 'for any other load capacity. Tube 5 maybe ameta-l "tube or a transparent plastic tube enabling the photographer to ascertain easily the number oi. bulbs remaining in the-magazine. The same result can of course be obtained by providing longitudinal observation slots in a metal tube or other suitable means indicating the number of bulbs in the magazine.

The bottom end of tube -5 is closed by a can .6 which is removed for the purpose of inserting a new string of bulbs in the tube. The 'upper end of the tube supports a reflector "I and also the holding and contact means for bulbs 1. These means are shown ,as an approximately semi-circular sleeve '8, the open side of the said sleeve facing away from the reflector. Hie wall of the .sleeve is cut out or recessed to form two diametrically opposite ejection slots '9 and receiving notches for the bulb terminals 2 and ,3 as can best be seen on Fig. 1. Recess 9 is extended .to form a slot Ill which is in alignment with a groove or slot 'l'l extending throughout substantially the entire length or tube 5. Sleeve 8 is extended at its'bothside edges by flanges 12 to which are pivoted jlevers 13.

These levers are biased by suitable'spring means into the position shown in Fig. 1 in full lines and can be pivoted by a bulb i into the positions shown in .jdottedlines. The purpose .of this arrangement will be more fully explained hereinafter.

sleeve .8 may be made of two metal sections separated by an insulation strip 14 so that each half of the sleeve thus .formed constitutes a .contact element for a bulb placed in front of the reflector. The two contact elements are connected in circuit with the terminals of a source of current. As previously mentioned. this source of current may "be disposed separately .from the flash unit for instance in the casing of a camera or as shownina casing I5 secured to tube 5. The source of current may be formed,

as shown, by a capacitor-battery system or by one or more dry cell batteries. The circuit connections between the source of current and the contact elements formed by sleeve 8 are not shown in detail and should be visualized as being conventional and including the required switch means and connections for the synchron zer.

For the pwpue of sumesavely feeding six bulbs to the holding and contact means and in front of reflector 1, various suitable feeding means are employed. There is shown a bracket .2! which supports the lowermost bulb I, a spring .29 being preferably interposed between the bracket and the said lowermost spring. Bracket 20 is extended through an axial slot in tube 5 into a housing 2| secured to the outside wall of the dmbe or integral therewith. For the purpose of lifting the bracket, two levers 22 and 23 are secured to bracket 20 within housing 2i. These two levers are pivotally joined by means of :a pivot 24 and a spring 25 braces the bent-Jeff portion of lever 22 against the inner wall of housing 24. The two levers protrude from a longitudinal slot 280! housing 2| thereby form.- ing an actuating handle outside the housing. As will be apparent, the friction between the bent-off portion of lever 22 and the inner wall of housing 24, as caused by the pressure of spring 25, will hold bracket 20 in any position within tube 5 as long as the handle formed by levers 22 and 28 is released. When new the two levers are gripped and pressed toward each other, bracket "and with-it thestring of bulbs can be conveniently raised within the tube.

For the purpose of ejecting -a. tired bulb manually operable ejeeting means are provided. These means are shown as comprising a plunger 30 slidably extended through reflector -l by means of a bushing 11 or other suitable means. The inner end of the plunger supports a slightly curved disc 92 abutting against the respective bulb -l and the outer end abutton '3-3. A spring 34 serves to bias the plunger into the position shown on Fig. i.

The operation of a, flash unit or flash gun, as 'hereinbefore described, is as follows:

For the purpo e of loading the unit, cap 6 is removed and levers 22 and 23 together with bracket 20 and spring 2| are withdrawn from slot 26 and tube 5 :respectively. Then, a string of six "bulbs :15 inserted and pushed upwardly until the uppermost bulb is in the position shown on Figs. :1 and ,2 whereupon the bracket with the lifting lever-sand cap 6 are replaced. As will be apparent from the previous description, the upper-most bulb will force levers 43 from the full 'line position into the dotted positions until the wide part of the bulb "has passed the'levers whereupon the same return into the ful1 line position. Nctches 11! which are engaged by contact prongs or elements 2 andt limit-the upward movement of thestring of'bulbs. At the same time; contact connections are established for the uppermost bulb when the contacoprongs o-l' the same arrive -i'n'n otches I 8.

Slots 'H which are engaged ;by contact prongs 2 and 3 of the bulbs serve to prevent an axial rotation pf thebulbs within-tube '6, thereby assuring that the "bulb prongs will become lodged impotence Hi. Slots 11 also permit to acertain the of remai ning-in the tube in casethe material of the tube is opaque.

The flash unit is now ready for flring of the tor is depressed by means ofbutton 33. As a result, the lateral pressure exerted upon the fired bulb will break off the same at its narrow neck 4. The next bulb is now moved into the firing position by pressing levers 22 and 23 together and lifting bracket 20 until prongs 2 and 3 of the next bulb are lodged in notches l0.

As will be noted, levers l3 and extension l2 of sleeve 8 form a slanted platform over which a broken off bulb will be guided away from the reflector. As soon as all the bulbs of a string are successively moved into the firing position, bracket 20 has reached its uppermost position and the flash unit must be reloaded.

The flash unit according to Figs. 3 and 4 is similar in principle to the flash unit described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the same numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts.

The lifting mechanism of the unit according to Figs. 3 and 4 is shown as comprising two shells 35 and 36 pivoted together by means of pivots 31. A spring 38 is biased to spread the two shells so that the lower edges of the same are frictionally pressed against the outside wall of tube 5. The lifting-mechanism further comprises a platform 39 supporting the string of bulbs l and supported by a rod 40 which in turn is secured to shells 35 and 36 or the pivot thereof. As will be apparent, the frictional pressure caused by spring 38 will hold platform 39 in any desired position within tube 5, and pressure exerted upon the two shells in the direction of the arrows will permit a convenient lifting of the platform within the tube.

The contact elements. of the flash unit are shown as two contact clamps 4| and 42 mounted on a preferably transparent bracket 43 secured to tube by any suitable means such as rivets 44. Each of the two clamps should be visualized as being connected in circuit with the necessary switch and synchronizing means and the terminals of a source of current. In contrast to Figs. 1 and 2, the source of current for the flash unit according to Figs. 3 and 4 is separately disposed from the flash unit. For this purpose, two prongs 45 and 46 are shown which are mounted on tube 5 by means of an insulation sleeve 41. As will be apparent to any person skilled in the art, the source of current and the synchronizer can be connected by means of a connecting cord to these parts.

The flash unit according to Figs. 3 and 4 is provided with automatic ejecting means. For

this purpose, a curved arm 50 is provided. This a;

arm is shown as an extension of bracket 43 but can, of course, be also mounted in any other suitable manner. As can best be seen on Fig. 3. arm 59 extends partly over the uppermost bulb i when the latter is in its firing position.

Tube 5 may be made of metal, as shown, in which "case the number of bulbs remaining in the tube may be observed through slot I l or of transparent material such as a suitable plastic.

The operation of the unit according to Figs. 3 and 4 will be obvious from the previous description. It suffices to say that the uppermost bulb of the string of bulbs is moved into the position in which its contact prongs 2 and 3 engage con- 7 tact clamps H and 42. The flash unit is now ready for use. After the firing of the uppermost bulb I, the string of bulbs is lifted b means of shells and 36. As a result, the curved portion of arm now in engagement with the rising uppermost bulb will force the same sidewardly 6 toward the dotted position thereby breaking the bulb off at its neck 4. The next bulb can now be raised into the position in which its contact prongs are engaged by clamps ll and 42.

The flash unit or holder according to Figs. 5, 6 and '7 is specifically designed for use with flash bulbs in form of individual closed pellets or globules 50, that is, pellets which are not joined by an easily breakable neck portion 4.

The flash unit according to Figs. 5, 6 and '7 comprises a housing in form of an oblong or elliptical drum 5i supporting the reflector 7. Drum 5| may support on its outside wall a synchronizer 52 of conventional design and a shoe 53 also of conventional design by means of which the flash unit can be attached to a bracket 53 secured to the casing of a camera. Drum 51 forms a magazine for a plurality of bulbs 50.

For the purpose of moving the bulbs successively into the firing position, an endless conveyor strap 54 is guided Within the drum over two rollers 55 and 56. The conveyor strap is rotated by roller 55 which for this purpose is fixedly mounted upon a shaft 5i. This shaft is rotatably supported by bearings 58 and 59 sercured to drum 5| and supports at its end protruding from the drum a handle 55 in form of a Wing nut. The conveyor strap mounts a plurality of circumferentially spaced bulb carriers in form of U-shaped members 6|. The bight of these members is secured to the strap and the preferably somewhat springy flanges form a pair of clamps between which a bulb is held as can best be seen on Fig. 7. The members may be secured to the conveyor strap by any suitable means such as rivets 52. The rollers have preferably annular grooves 63 to provide space for rivet 52 and may have in one their side walls indentations engageable by projections 55 on the respective wall of the casing for the purpose of detaining successive bulbs in the correct loading position, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The carriers are made accessible for loading by removal of a cover 64.

The contact means of the flash unit are formed by a pair of preferably somewhat springy contact prongs H1 which engage the contact terminals 2 and :3 of a bulb placed in the proper position within the reflector (see Figs. 5 and 7). The contact prongs, if made sufficiently springy, will also serve as clamping means for the bulb but it may be preferable to-provide additional guide and clamping means H which are preferably made of transparent material.

Contact prongs 18 should be visualized as being connected with the source of current for the flash unit. This source of current can again be separately disposed from the flash unit or be placed within the drum in the space circumscribed by the conveyor strap 54 as is more fully shown in connection with the embodiments of the invention. described hereinafter.

Drum 5! is provided with an opening 13 and cover 64 with a similar opening 14. These two openings are preferably circular and have a diameter slightly wider than the maximum diameter of bulbs 50. They are disposed co-axially with the longitudinal axis of a bulb fitted between contact prongs 10 and clamps H and 12. Drum 51 and/ or cover 64 are preferably provided with observation windows to ascertain the num ber of bulbs within the magazine.

The operation of a flash unit according to Figs. 5, 6 and 'l is as follows:

Let it be assumed that the magazine is loaded 7 and them desired t in one l in the irin po tio withi the e e o Th .can b accomplished either by simply pressing a bulb into the proper position :between the clamps 'I-l, and t ehtaetp ehs :1 o by pushin the bulb shown on Fig. '5 in .dotted "lines through openings H and [3 into the proper position bewe n t clamp an th on st n Let it now be assumed that the bulb in the reflector is fired and shall be replaced by a fresh bulb. Then, the operator turns handle '50 until a fresh u is'inth pes tionaf thebu shown n o d ne a d us es .thi 'b l w t h s finger a ai st the fired bulb. As a result, the fired bulb is eie-Q edahd th n bul takes i l c e e o eration r r eat d nt t m g z n i m ty- I fined n o aqu e e ee be PI vided .for opening 114.

Figs. 8 and 9 showan embodiment of the invention which is similar to the one described in connection with Figs. 5, .6 and 7. The flash unit ac ordin t Figs -.8 an is a desi ned fo i deheh n bu bs h un com ri s a cy ind i a a ng 80 whi h can e t h d me n o a sh e .81 t a b cke 2 nd w ch ma also su r a co ent o synehrohizer 83. A cylindrical drum 84 is mounted rotatably W thi h s ing ans can ro a ed b mean o a wine nu 35- The ircu e t a of the drum supports a plurality of radial pairs of p e e s ew a snrins clamps 6 Each pair of clamps serves to receive the'rebetween a flash "bulb. The magazine, thus formed within a i s load d b in rti t bulbs b w en t e el m 86 a e emov o Mover 1.

A bulb in the firing position is again held between the contact prongs J0 and clamps H and 12. Contact prongs should be visualized as being conn cted in circuit with the source of u e t wh c i preie eblv di e i h space defined by drumlll. The source r current is shown as a battery ,IIS and a capacitor 90 but b e es n y ma .O c u s a s b m l y d as source of current. The circuit connections, being conventional, are not described and shown here in detail. Cover 81 and easing 80 .are provided with aligned circular openings 9| and 9; r spe t el .Ior t e pu p us i a bu b into h i i n o us and ele t ng a pr vi u ly ti e bulb, Aeuidih g ve or sl t 93 i e erably pr ide t pr vent a ax l r at o of a .bh whi e b ng u ed item h p s shown on lis- 9 do te l nes i t the o t on of use. As will be apparent, the consequence of .1. ax a rotation of a bu would b ha (the conta t terminals 2 and 3 of the bulb wou d n come nto en agem nt with the .eo tact pro gs 10.

The O eration .of the flash unit according .to Figs. 8 and 9 will e obv ous ram th d ri t n o th era ion o the hash un t a ord n o Figs. '5, 6 and ,7.

h fla h ho er si -u i amend n o .Fiss- 10 to 13 inclusive is similar to the oneshown on i ssan ..A eordins h e same num rals are employed to designate corresponding parts. .A t wi l e noted. cas n .81 is tilted e at ve t the axis of reflector I while in 8 and 9 the ea ing i dis osed ate i ht an l tethe ax s o th reflector.

.Elss- .14 to 1.8 .iha hs veshow xempl fl atleh e i ion whi h the ma az ne or t e flash bul s .59 is s n p hrajl eohibh ed w th t reflector I. For this purpose ,a casing .100 cured t reflector eas hsh use .a rotataezaoee able drum IDI which can be rotated by means 0! a wingnut l0! andsupports'on itscircumterence aplurality of circumferentially spaced pairs'o! preferably springy clamps -=I 03 between which the bulbs are'he1d. The magazine can be loaded with bulbs after removal of a cover I04. Casing I00 is mounted upon a tubularly-shaped casing I05 which also may support a shoe Meier-attach ment of the flash unit to the bracket of a camera casing and a synchronizer I01 of conventional design.

A flash bulb ;is held in :the firing position in front of the reflector by means of two preferably springy-contact clamps H0 and II I. These clamps are secured to a bearing sleeve H2 in which is-pivotally supported on a shaft H3 journalled to casing I 00. Clamps H0 and III are extended to form a bell-crank lever the short arm I I4 of which ispivoted to an arm I I5 which in turn is pivoted to a pin H6 slidablyextended through hub H1 of wing nut I02. Arm H5 is engaged by the two prongs of a bifurcated spring III! as can bestbe seen on Fig. 18. Spring H8 is fixedly secured forinstance, by'means ofrivets, to a bracket I Ia attached for instance by soldering to the curved wall of reflector I. Pin ..I.'I.i preferably ends in a. button I20 to facilitate manipulation of the pin. Reflector I has inits wall an opening 'I2I to permit movement of a bulb 50 from the full line position into the right hand dotted position and vice versa.

The operation of a flash unit according .to'Figs. 14to 18 inclusive is as follows:

Let it be assumed that a bulb is heldby the contact clamps in the position of use as illustrated on Fig. 15. As will be noted, in this position of the .clamps pin H15 .is pulled out of easing 1.00 as far as possible. Let it further .be assumed that the bulb is fired and shall be re.- placedby a fresh one. Then, drum IN is rotated by-means .of wing nut I02 until a 'bulb is in registry with opening 11'. Pin H6 'is now pushed inwardly *into :the position shown on Fig. 14. As a result, .-the contact clamps swing from the position of Fig. '15 to the position of Fig. "14,

the hereinbefore described linkage arrangement permitting such movement against .the action ot spring ,I I8 which always tends to bias pin I I6 into a position in which the contact clamps are in the position of Fig. '15. During the first part of the swinging movement of the contact clamps, the bulb. gripped by these clamps is forced against the bulb placed in alignment with opening I21. :F'ig. =15 shows the intermediate position of the contact clamps in which the old bulb just abuts against the new bulb withinthe magazine. Consequently, the old bulb is forced out of its position between the clamps and ejected. As the downward movement of "the contact clamps is continued, the same will grip the new bulb within the magazine. Fig. 14 shows the position .of the clamps in which the same have gripped the new ibulb. now button J20 is released, the

loadedsprin t snaps the clamps back into the position .oiFig. -15. In other words, a fresh bulb is now in the .positionot use.

The contact clamps should again be visualized as being connected in circuit with the batteries in casing I05 so that the flash unit is ready for use.

h e theihven en has een described in etail with respect to certain now preferredexampies and embodiments of the invention it will be understood-by those skilled in the art after underst d ng e n tion. ha rious ch nges an 9 modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A photoflash holder for use in connection with flash bulbs in form of closed transparent pellets made of insulation material and having on the outside two contact terminals connected with a primer in the pellet, the said holder comprising a casing forming a magazine adapted to receive therein a plurality of said bulbs, yieldable clamping means supported on the casing and arranged to grip by frictional pressure one of said bulbs in a predetermined position, contact means supported by the casing and positioned frictionally to engage the contact terminals of a bulb gripped by said clamping means, and moving means supported by the casing and moving the bulbs within the magazine one-by-one into gripping engagement with said clamping means and said contact means.

2. A holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said casing is tubularly shaped so as to receive the bulbs therein in form of a column, and wherein said moving means comprise lifting means mounted on said casing axially slidable relative thereto and engageable with the lowermost bulb forming said column for moving the column of bulbs toward the clamping means by sliding the lifting means relatively to the casing.

3. A holder as defined in claim 2, wherein said lifting means include arresting means frictionally engageable with the casing for retaining the lifting means in any selected axial position relative to the casing.

4. A photofiash holder for use in connection with a string of flash bulbs, each in form of a closed pellet having on the outside two contact terminals connected to a primer within the pellet, adjacent bulbs being joined by a neck portion, the said holder comprising a casing forming a magazine adapted to receive therein a plurality of said bulbs, yieldable clamping means supported on the casing and arranged to grip by frictional pressure one of said bulbs in a predetermined position, contact means supported by the casing and positioned frictionally to engage the contact terminals of a bulb gripped by said clamping means, moving means supported by the casing and acting upon the bulbs within the magazine for feeding the said bulbs one-by-one to said clamping means, and ejecting means engageable with a bulb gripped by said clamping means and arranged to apply a pressure to the said bulb in a direction slanted relative to the axis of its neck portion thereby causing breaking of the said neck portion.

5. A holder as defined in claim 4, wherein the said ejecting means comprise a movable member, and actuating means coacting with the said member for pressing the same against the bulb gripped by the said clamping means, thereby breaking the neck portion for separating the said bulb from the string of bulbs.

6. A holder as defined in claim 4, wherein the said ejecting means comprise a guide member stationarily mounted on the casing and arranged to tilt a bulb engaging the guide member relative to the axis of the respective neck portion thereby breaking the said neck portion, the said guide member being positioned to be engaged by a bulb for the purpose aforesaid in response to a lifting of the string of bulbs forcing the bulb gripped by the clamping means out of the same and against a guide member.

7. A photoflash holder for use in connection with flash bulbs in form of individual closed pellets having on the outside two contact terminals connected with a primer Within the pellet, the said holder comprising a casing forming a magazine adapted to receive therein a plurality of said bulbs, yieldable clamping means supported on the outside of said casing and arranged to grip by frictional pressure one of said bulbs in a predetermined position, contact means supported by the casing and positioned frictionally to engage the contact terminals of a bulb gripped by said clamping means, movable support means forming a plurality of compartments disposed within the casing, each of said compartments being adapted to receive one of said bulbs, the said casing having wall openings therethrough aligned with each other and said clamping and contact means, and moving means operatively coupled with the support means for moving the same into a position in which one of the bulbs is in registry with said aligned openings and said clamping and contact means, whereby the said bulb can be manually pushed through said holes into the position in which it is gripped by the clamping means and engaged by the contact means, thereby also electing a bulb previously occupying the said position.

8. A photofiash holder as defined in claim 7, wherein said movable support means comprise a rotatably mounted member, and a plurality of clamping members secured to said rotatable member.

9. A photofiash holder as defined in claim 8, wherein each of said clamping members comprises a pair of springy clamping elements for frictionally holding a bulb therebetween.

10. A photofiash holder as defined in claim 7, wherein said movable support means comprise an endless conveyor, rollers for guiding said conveyor and a plurality of clamping means secured to said conveyor spaced apart, each of said clamping means being adapted to receive and frictionally to hold one of said bulbs, and wherein said moving means comprise an actuating member disposed outside said casing and operatively coupled with one of said rollers for imparting a rotary movement to the conveyor.

11. A photoflash holder as defined in claim '7, wherein said movable support means comprise a drum rotatably mounted within the casing, and a plurality of clamping means secured to said conveyor circumferentially spaced apart, each of said clamping means being adapted to receive and frictionally to hold one of said bulbs, and wherein said moving means comprise an actuating member disposed outside the casing and operatively coupled with said drum for rotating the same for the purpose aforesaid.

12. A photoflash holder as defined in claim '7, wherein said contact means comprise a pair of springy electrically conductive prongs positioned frictionally to engage the contact terminals of a flash bulb placed therebetween, and wherein said clamping means comprise a pair of clamping elements positioned frictionally to engage a flash bulb placed therebetween, the said contact means and the said clamping means being disposed in a spatial relationship providing for sliding of a bulb between the said contact and clamping means and out of the same by displacement of the bulb in the same direction.

13. A photofiash holder for use in connection v v ill e e with flash bulbs in form ef ifndivi'dflal closedpel- 1112193 having eg-tine euts'ide two Contact terminals mueeted w l'fih a primer within the pellet, ithe predetermined position, thereby effecting an ejection of the said gripped bulb. Y r 14. A .photoflesh holder as defined in claim 13, wherein said actuat-mg means for thepivotal arm comprise a rodmounted axially slidabje relative to the casing and operatively coupled with said pivotal "arms, displacement of eth e rod mm References in the file of lihis patexifi fsTA'rEs PATENTS N mber N w 2,408,470 Noel Oct. '1, 1946 FOREIGN we: v we 58L097 Germany Sept. 121', 3293 731,786 France "Sept. 8, '1932 

